PSYC 201 (A01): Research Methods in Psychology September-December 2018 CRN 12765

Lectures Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-5:50 in HSD A240

The first iClicker quiz at the beginning of Lecture 2 will pose questions about this document.

Contents Contact Details ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Free Electronic Required Text ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Trigger Warning ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Course Objectives ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Keys to Success ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 CourseSpace Features ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Course Announcements: ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Student-to-Student Forum: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Requirements/Assessment Techniques ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 iClickers ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Tests ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Lab Assignments .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Lab Report ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Lab Participation .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Grading .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Course Experience Survey ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Extra Credit for Research Participation ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 Other Matters ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Disruptive Behaviours in Class .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Students with Disabilities ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Questions/Problems ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Important Course Policy Information ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Prerequisites ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Program Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Registration Status ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Commitment to Inclusivity and Diversity .............................................................................................................................................. 6 In the Event of Illness, Accident or Family Affliction (See UVic Calendar, September 2018, p. 48-50) ............................................. 6 Policy on Academic Integrity including Plagiarism and Cheating ........................................................................................................ 6 Health and Well-being Promotion ............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Contact Details * Instructor: Steve Lindsay, slindsay@uvic.ca, 250-721-8593, office hour Fridays 1-2:30 or by appt. in Cornett A187.

My preferred honorific is "Professor," but "Steve" is OK. My pronouns are he/him. * Lecture TA: office hour in* Lab TA* Website:

Free Electronic Required Text Jhangiani, R. S., Chiang, I. A., & Price, P. C. (2015). Research methods in Psychology—2nd Canadian Edition.

In previous years I used Morling, B. (2018). Research methods in psychology: Evaluating a world of information (3rd ed.). New York: WW Norton. Some of my lecture content is drawn from Morling. A copy of that text is on reserve in McPherson library and you might find it helpful to read that text. I will not test on anything that is in Morling but not in lecture, so it is not required, but it might be helpful.

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Trigger Warning Labs throughout the semester have to do with cell-phone distracted driving and include some intense material about car accidents associated with distracted driving. If you are sensitive to that sort of material, please let me know by the first week of classes.

Course Objectives This course aims to help you develop skills required to (a) conduct rigorous scientific research in psychology, (b) communicate your research to others, and (c) evaluate research by other psychologists (and, more generally, think critically about the evidence for and against claims in everyday life). Thus this course fosters methodological, analytical, and communication skills that are valuable in a wide range of everyday applications (making decisions about health care, shopping, voting, etc.) and in numerous lines of work. My hope is that this course will change the way you think.

Keys to Success This course will challenge you to master a large number of new ideas. The material is more cumulative than in most psychology courses; comprehension of concepts in week N requires mastery of concepts presented in week N-1. Keep up with the work as we go along. Do the readings in an actively engaged way BEFORE lectures. Participate in lectures. Review your notes after each lecture. Seek help from me or the TA if you have trouble understanding the material.

Regular class sessions will include lectures on topics covered in the text, but (a) text material will not simply be repeated but rather presented in different ways intended to enhance understanding of the concepts, (b) many lectures will include material not mentioned in the text or that differs from the text and that will appear on tests and/or the final, and (c) some lectures will include information related to labs. Thus attending lectures is important for success. Reading the text is also important. Tests in this course cover some material that is only in the lecture and some material that is only in the text. Attending labs is required.

CourseSpace Features Don't just sit there – participate! University-level learning isn't about passively receiving information, it's about actively creating new ways of thinking. The more you engage with and contribute to the course, the more you’ll get out of it.

Course Announcements: I’ll use this for important course-related announcements; these will be sent to you viaemail at the address you have specified. Checking email daily is part of the job.

Student-to-Student Forum: A place for students to talk with one another about the course. Maybe you’rehaving trouble getting a particular concept, or maybe you made a connection between something in this course and some other course, or maybe you want to complain about some aspect of the course. See https://elearning.uvic.ca/moodle/students for information about using forums. Please be civil.

Requirements/Assessment Techniques

iClickers In lectures students will have opportunities to respond to questions and to participate in demonstrations using iClickers. An iClicker looks like a remote control; I pose a multiple-choice question (projecting the question on the screen), you press a button to indicate your choice, and your answer is recorded and linked to your student number. You are not required to use an iClicker, but I believe that you will benefit from doing so. You can purchase a new or used iClicker at the UVIC bookstore, or you may be able to buy (or borrow) an iClicker from another student. You can use any model of iClicker in this course, but I do not support use of the iClicker GO app on other devices.

Visit http://www.uvic.ca/systems/support/learningteaching/iclicker/ for instructions on how to register your iClicker. If you forget to register, just keep coming to class and using your iClicker; my computer will keep track of your responses (by iClicker number) and once you register your iClicker it will associate your past responses with your ID.

Throughout each lecture I will invite class members to respond to multiple-choice questions using their iClickers. Except for the very first class, the first +/- 3 questions of each lecture will pertain to the preceding lecture and/or to the assigned

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readings for that day’s lecture, and students will be graded on their accuracy. Other clicker questions throughout the lecture will not be graded on accuracy, but will instead count toward participation marks as long as you respond to 75% of opportunities. iClicker points can only be earned by being in class with a functioning iClicker. Each student’s three lowest iClicker scores will be dropped (this is to allow for absences due to illness, dead batteries, etc.). At the end of the semester, I will calculate two grades for each student, one with and one without iClicker performance, and award each student the higher of the two.

Tests There will be three in-class tests, spaced approximately equally across the semester, on ideas presented in the text and/or in lecture: [dates]. These in-class tests are non-cumulative and feature multiple-choice questions mixed with a few short answer questions. A full class period will be allotted for each test. There is also a cumulative final exam covering the entire course, which will be given during the exam period. Do not schedule travel until the date of the final exam is determined.

Lab Assignments Each student must be registered in a lab section associated with this lecture section (sections B01 through B05). The first lab meeting is on 11 or 12 Sept (depending on which lab you are in) in McPherson Library. If you are not yet registered in a lab, just attend one of B01-B05. There will be five lab assignments, each worth up to 2 points depending on the quality of the work (max total = 10 points). See the folder on the CourseSpaces site titled “Lab Stuff.” Further details of the lab assignments will be communicated by the Lab TA.

Lab Report A scientific report drawing on the labs. A complete draft is due in lab on 28 March as one of the lab assignments mentioned above. The final version of the report, worth up to 15 points, is to be submitted via CourseSpaces by midnight on 7 December 2018. Details of the requirements for the paper are described in another document it the folder on the CourseSpaces site titled “Lab Stuff.”

Lab Participation Lab attendance/participation (4 points): Participation and attendance in labs are critical to success in the lab and the course. There will be several lab sessions that require active engagement and discussion. Questions, comments, and participation will contribute in a positive way to the overall learning environment. Each student will be graded as follows:

4 = No missed labs without documentation; usually on time and highly engaged in most lab activities; provided insightful suggestions on several occasions.

3 = Missed 1-2 labs without documentation; sometimes late; participation was adequate and student provided relevant comments and demonstrated interest in discussion.

2 = Missed 3-5 labs; often late; often disengaged and comments did little to advance discussion or lab activities.

1 = Missed most labs; usually late; lack of interest in discussion; little to no input given.

0 = Missed all or almost all labs; Little or no participation noted.

Grading At the end of the course your final mark will either include iClicker points or not, whichever gives you the higher mark. The maximum iClicker total is 17 points, with up to 8.5 coming from the daily quiz and up to 8.5 from participation marks (i.e., using clicker during in-class demonstrations etc.). For students whose final marks includes iClicker marks, Test 1 will be worth 7 points, Tests 2 and 3 will be worth 10 points each, and the final exam will be worth 27. For students whose final mark does not include iClicker marks, Test 1 will be worth 9 points, Tests 2 and 3 will be worth 13 points each, and the final exam will be worth 36 points. I will calculate both grades and give each student whichever of them is higher. Thus iClicker points can help you and are especially likely to help you if you come to class prepared to participate; no matter what, iClicker points cannot hurt you.

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Source With iClicker Marks Without iClicker Marks iClicker Marks 17 -- Test 1 7 9 Test 2 10 13 Test 3 10 13 Lab Participation 4 4 Lab Assignments 10 10 Final Lab Report 15 15 Cumulative Final Exam 27 36

Each of the dimensions above will be marked as per UVic guidelines for undergraduate grades (https://web.uvic.ca/calendar2018-09/undergrad/info/regulations/grading.html). Each student will receive a score for each component listed above; these will be weighted as per the percentages indicated above and then summed to determine your total points, which will be converted into a letter grade as follows: 90 and up = A+; 85 to 89 = A; 80 to 84 = A-; 77 to 79 = B+; 73 to 76 = B; 70 to 72 = B-; 65 to 69 = C+; 60 to 64 = C; 50 to 59 = D; 0 to 49 = F. Marks will be rounded up from .5 (e.g., 89.499 = A, 89.50 = A+).

Any student who does not (a) attend at least most of the labs, (b) submit the Final Lab Report, and (c) take the Cumulative Final Exam will receive a grade of N (a failing grade that factors into the grade point average as a 0). It is also possible to do all of those things but do them so poorly as to earn a grade of F (a failing grade that factors into the GPA as 0). There are no minimum conditions for writing the final exam or for other course components.

Course Experience Survey I value your feedback on this course. Near the end of term, you will have an opportunity to complete an anonymous survey regarding your learning experience in this class. I will use students’ responses to improve future courses. The survey will also be used by the Department of Psychology to evaluate my performance as an instructor. I will not receive the results until after I have submitted marks for this course. Responses are anonymous. The more students complete the survey, the more meaningful and informative the results. Please ensure that your current email address is listed on MyPage (http://uvic.ca/mypage ). When the class is 5/6 over, an email will be sent inviting you to complete the CES online. But please wait and complete the CES in class before the penultimate lecture.

Extra Credit for Research Participation Up to 3 points of extra credit can be earned by participating in research projects posted on the UVic Psychology Research Participation System website http://uvic.sona-systems.com/. You will earn 0.5 points for each 30 minutes (or portion thereof) of participation; for each study, you must submit the P201 Extra Credit Form (from the CourseSpaces site) and turn it in to me no later than 5 December 2018. Note that students in PSYC 100A/B earn points at twice this rate (because that course uses a 200-point grading system). To earn all 3 bonus points, you must participate in at least two different studies (i.e., a single 3-hour study is not acceptable). Extra credit will be added to your final score (e.g., if you had an 83 in the course, and earned all 3 points, you would get an 86 and so get an A instead of an A-).

There is no penalty for not earning extra credit. The rationale for the extra credit policy is that participating gives you hands-on experience in psychological research, completing the form requires you to practice conceptual and writing skills relevant to this course, and participating gives you contact with upper-level students engaged in research. If you sign up to participate in a study, you MUST keep the appointment and be on time. If you previously used the SONA system, do not create a new ID; your SONA user-ID is the first part of your UVic email (before “@”) and you can ask to be reminded of your password at the SONA site http://uvic.sona-systems.com/.

Article Reviews as an alternative to participation in research Some students face obstacles to participating in research and others may simply not wish to participate in research. As an alternative way of earning bonus points by learning about research, students can write up to 3 short (2 pages double spaced) reviews of psychology journal articles reporting original research on any topic except distracted driving. Note that these MUST be independent of readings you are doing as part of other courses. Each review will be worth 1 extra credit. You must obtain written (emailed) approval for each article before writing a review. To receive credit, you must follow these guidelines:

Sources of Points (and Maximum Possible Points)

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• The last date for submitting proposed articles to the Lecture TA via email is 22 November. Completed reviews must beemailed to the Lecture TA no later than midnight on 5 December.

• Identify title, author(s), source, and year of the article and either attach a PDF copy of the article or include a link to it.

• Clearly summarize the psychological concepts in the article, briefly describe the methods and the reported results, anddiscuss the implications of the results. Critically evaluate the article

• Keep a copy of your review in the unlikely event that we misplace the original.

Other Matters

Disruptive Behaviours in Class Please respect your classmates’ right to engage with class activities. If you want to chat about other topics during class time that’s OK if you do it elsewhere. Except for during tests, you may use electronic devices during class in ways that support your comprehension and retention of the material (e.g., to take notes, record the lecture, look things up, do calculations), but not in ways that are likely to distract you and those around you. I will ask any student engaging in disruptive behaviours in class to leave.

Students with Disabilities If a disability makes it difficult for you to write exams or perform other course tasks, please consult with the fine folks at the Centre for Accessible Learning, https://www.uvic.ca/services/cal/

Questions/Problems Please come see me during office hours if you need help or just to chat about the course. Bright, motivated students come to instructors’ office hours.

If you have a concern about the marking of a test, please first review your notes and the text to try to understand the marking on your own. If that doesn’t avail, then please check with the lecture TA via email or during the TA’s office hours (see top of this document). If after talking with the TA you are still not satisfied, then please contact me via email.

If you need help understanding the material presented in the text or lecture, you can contact either the TA or me during our office hours or via email. For general help on study skills, www.coun.uvic.ca/learning/

If English is not your first language and you are having trouble because of that, please contact the English Language Centre (www.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/ ) for advice.

If you have trouble using the research bonus point system, please contact p100res@uvic.ca.

If you have problems with email or NetLink, please contact the Computer Help Desk at helpdesk@uvic.ca or call (250) 721-7687 or go to Clearihue A004.

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Important Course Policy Information

Prerequisites

Students who remain in courses for which they do not have the prerequisites do so at their own risk. Students who complete courses without prerequisites ARE NOT exempt from having to complete the prerequisite course(s) if such courses are required for the degree program.

Program Requirements

For more information, see pages 313-317 of the UVic Calendar September 2018.

Registration Status

Students are responsible for verifying their registration status. Registration status may be verified using My Page, View Schedule. Course adds and drops will not be processed after the deadlines set out in the current UVic Calendar.

Commitment to Inclusivity and Diversity

The University of Victoria is committed to promoting, providing and protecting a positive and supportive and safe learning and working environment for all its members. I strive to make my classroom a safe and welcoming place for students of diverse backgrounds, genders, and abilities.

In the Event of Illness, Accident or Family Affliction (See UVic Calendar, September 2018, p. 48-50)

• What to do if you miss the final exam scheduled during the formal exam period

Apply at Records Services for a “Request for Academic Concession”, normally within 10 working days of the date of the exam. Records Services will forward the form to the instructor. If the concession is granted, the instructor will determine how to deal with the situation (for example, a deferred exam). Where a concession is not applied for or where such application is denied, an N grade will be entered on the student’s academic record. OR download the Request for Academic Concession form: http://www.uvic.ca/registrar/assets/docs/record-forms/rac.pdf

• What to do if you miss an exam other than one scheduled during the formal exam period

Do not apply at Records Services for a “Request for Academic Concession”. Instead submit documentation of the illness, accident or family affliction directly to your course instructor (or designated teaching assistant).

• What to do if you require additional time to complete course requirements

Apply at Records Services for a “Request for Academic Concession”, normally within 10 working days of the end of the course. Records Services will forward the form to the instructor. If the concession is granted, the instructor will determine how to deal with the situation (for example, a deferred exam). Where a concession is not applied for or where such application is denied, an N grade will be entered on the student’s academic record. Or download the Request for Academic Concession form here: http://www.uvic.ca/registrar/assets/docs/record-forms/rac.pdf

Policy on Academic Integrity including Plagiarism and Cheating

The Department of Psychology fully endorses and intends to enforce rigorously the Senate Policy on Academic integrity https://web.uvic.ca/calendar2018-09/undergrad/info/regulations/academic-integrity.html# , p. 45-47, UVic Calendar September 2018). It is of utmost importance that students who do their work honestly be protected from those who do

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not. Because this policy is in place to ensure that students carry out and benefit from the learning activities assigned in each course, it is expected that students will cooperate in its implementation.

The offences defined by the policy can be summarized briefly as follows: 1. Plagiarism. You must make sure that the work you submit is your work and not someone else’s. There are

proper procedures for citing the works of others. The student is responsible for being aware of and using theseprocedures.

2. Unauthorized Use of an Editor. The use of an editor is prohibited unless the instructor grants explicit writtenauthorization.

3. Multiple Submission. Only under exceptional circumstances may a work submitted to fulfill an academicrequirement be used to satisfy another similar requirement. The student is responsible for clarifying this with theinstructor(s) involved.

4. Falsifying Materials Subject to Academic Evaluation. This includes falsification of data, use of commerciallyprepared essays, using information from the Internet without proper citation, citing sources from which material isnot actually obtained, etc.

5. Cheating on Assignments, Tests, and Examinations. You may not copy the work of others in or out of class;you may not give your work to others for the purpose of copying; you may not use unauthorized material orequipment during examinations or tests; and you may not impersonate or allow yourself to be impersonated byanother at an examination. The Department of Psychology has a policy of not making old examinations availablefor study purposes. Therefore, use of old exams without the express written permission of the instructorconstitutes cheating by the user, and abetting of cheating by the person who provided the exam.

6. Being an Accessory to Offences. This means that helping another student to cheat (for instance, by showing orcommunicating to them answers to an assignment, or by allowing them to view answers on an exam) is anacademic offence.

Instructors are expected to make every effort to prevent cheating and plagiarism. This may include the assignment of seating for examinations, asking students to move during examinations, requests to see student identification cards, and other measures as appropriate. Instructors also have available to them a variety of tools and procedures to check for Internet and electronic media-based cheating. In instances of suspected or actual plagiarism or cheating, instructors, following prescribed procedures, are authorized to take steps consistent with the degree of the offence. These measures will range from a zero on the test or assignment or a failing grade for the course, probation within a program to temporary or even permanent suspension from the University.

Rights of Appeal are described in Policy on Academic Integrity in the University calendar (on p. 46 in September 2018).

The definitive source for information on Academic Integrity is the University Calendar (p. 45-47 in September 2018) (https://web.uvic.ca/calendar2018-09/undergrad/info/regulations/academic-integrity.html#)

Other useful resources on Plagiarism and Cheating include: 1. The Study Solutions Office: https://www.uvic.ca/services/counselling/success/study/index.php2. The Ombudsperson’s office: https://uvicombudsperson.ca/tips/plagiarism/3. UVic Library Resources: http://www.uvic.ca/library/research/citation/plagiarism/4. Dr. Mitchell of the UVic English Dept.: http://web.uvic.ca/~amitch/teaching_files/Avoiding%20Plagiarism.pdf

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Health and Well-being Promotion

A note to remind you to take care of yourself. Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress. All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone.

Social Life, Friends, & Community at UVic: Having a social network is an extremely important foundation for positive mental health. There are lots of benefits to joining clubs, course unions, intramurals and teams on campus. https://www.uvic.ca/mentalhealth/undergraduate/connecting/index.php

Counselling Services: Counselling Services can help you make the most of your university experience. They offer free professional, confidential, inclusive support to currently registered UVic students. www.uvic.ca/services/counselling/

Health Services: University Health Services (UHS) provides a full service primary health clinic for students, and coordinates healthy student and campus initiatives. www.uvic.ca/services/health/

Centre for Accessible Learning: The CAL staff are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate accommodations www.uvic.ca/services/cal/. The sooner you let us know your needs, the quicker we can assist you in achieving your learning goals in this course.

Elders' Voices: The Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE) has the privilege of assembling a group of Elders from local communities to guide students, staff, faculty and administration in Indigenous ways of knowing and being. www.uvic.ca/services/indigenous/students/programming/elders/

Mental Health Supports and Services: Mental health supports and services are available to students from all areas of the UVic community: www.uvic.ca/mentalhealth/undergraduate/

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